http://www.global-auto.org Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:44:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 There's also dual-zone climate control, rear auxilary climate control, voice-activated navigation (hey, a Navigator should have nav standard), 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, forward and reverse sensing system, rain-sensing wipers, power adjustable pedals (a great thing for families whose drivers are of different heights and leg lengths. I'm 6'0". Mrs. TireKicker is 5'1".) a trailer towing package, a full complement of airbacks, Advance Trac with RSC and the Securilock anti-theft system. ============= Article Content: The 2011 Lincoln Navigator. Want a big, full-lux SUV and insist on buying American? Your ride is ready. It helps to be a bit of a traditionalist, as well, since the 2011 Lincoln Navigator is year five of the Gen 3 Navigator (and 2012's changes are minimal, so it's going into year six).  But familiarity can breed contentment...and the Navigator is like an old friend. The downturn of the economy and upturn in gas prices has driven the amateurs out of the fullsize and luxury SUV market. It's back to the people who really want, need and appreciate them. And as a former pre-soccer mom era Suburban owner, I can tell you, the 2011 Navigator is a sweet ride. Side view of the 2011 Lincoln Navigator L As with the now-discontinued Lincoln Town Car,  Ford hasn't been peppering the press fleets with Navigators, so we borrowed one from Fiesta Lincoln in Mesa, Arizona for a week. They put us not just in a Navigator, but the extended-length Navigator L...three rows of seats and room for a bunch of cargo, luggage, groceries, you name it, in the back. Frankly, the Navigator looks better as the Navigator L. It's a tall beast and the 14.9 inches of extra length makes it look less blocky. And it may be me, but I think it rides considerably better in L form as well. Our tester was also a 4X4 model, so the starting price was ,695. For that, you get a 5.4 liter, 310 horsepower V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission, power liftgate, power folding, heated memory outside mirrors, power running boards, HID headlamps, SYNC, THX audio, heated and cooled front seats, heated 2nd row seats and power fold-flat 3rd row seats. There's also dual-zone climate control, rear auxilary climate control, voice-activated navigation (hey, a Navigator should have nav standard), 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, forward and reverse sensing system, rain-sensing wipers, power adjustable pedals (a great thing for families whose drivers are of different heights and leg lengths. I'm 6'0". Mrs. TireKicker is 5'1".) a trailer towing package, a full complement of airbacks, Advance Trac with RSC and the Securilock anti-theft system. The 2011 Lincoln Navigator interior. Inside, it's leather and wood as far as the eye can see (and the interior is so spacious "as far as the eye can see" is really an issue here).  In the Navigator, standard is loaded...and yet, this one was loaded just a bit more. From the options list came Rapid Spec 101A, the monochrome limited edition package, turning a lot of normally chrome bits the body color (White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat) and adding a power moonroof for ,645. That White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat was extra cost, as well...5.  An upgrade to 20 inch polished aluminum wheels cost ,310, and all-weather floor mats were . 5 for destination and delivery brings the grand total to ,320. Given that you can load a half-ton Chevy Suburban to ,000 and change and cracking K in luxury SUVs isn't difficult, that's a very good value. Just be prepared at the pump...the EPA says the Navigator L 4X4 should get 13 miles per gallon in the city, 18 on the highway. Your mileage may vary. Ours did. In a 60/40 city street/urban freeway mix, we managed 12.6 mpg. Still, it's a nice machine with tons of presence and a lot of usefulness. Lincoln's likely to either completely re-do or do away with the Navigator after 2012. If this is for you, I'd act now. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/global-auto-2011-lincoln-navigator-review.html Rear view of the 2012 Mazda 3 5-Door This time, we drew the Mazda 3 S 5-Door Touring model. There are only two flavors of the Mazda 3 5-door...Touring and Grand Touring. The difference between the two cars? ,570, which buys a power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed sport seats, heated front seats with 5 settings, an 8-way power driver's seat and a 6-CD, 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system. ============= Article Content: The 2012 Mazda 3. A truly great small car is a wonderful thing. For a long, long time, my vote for best ever went to the 1984 Honda Civic I bought brand new and kept for 14 years and 144,000 trouble-free miles. But some time back, the old Civic got passed by a small car with all of its virtues (compact size, good interior space, fuel economy and a bigger dose of fun-to-drive than anything else in the class) and all the improvements more than a quarter-century can bring: The Mazda 3. We've driven and raved about Mazda 3s before. In fact, the 2008 Mazda 3 was one of the first TireKicker reviews, on our third day of existence.  And a little over a year and a half ago, we sampled the new-gen 2010. But a year and a half is a long time not to be driving and talking about one of the best buys in all autodom, so we arranged with Chapman Mazda in Phoenix to borrow a just-arrived 2012 Mazda 3 for a week. Rear view of the 2012 Mazda 3 5-Door This time, we drew the Mazda 3 S 5-Door Touring model. There are only two flavors of the Mazda 3 5-door...Touring and Grand Touring. The difference between the two cars? ,570, which buys a power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed sport seats, heated front seats with 5 settings, an 8-way power driver's seat and a 6-CD, 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system. Which is one serious value for ,570. But sticking with the S is by no means roughing it. Both cars have the same 2.5 liter DOHC 4 with 167 horsepower that feels like a good 90 more. Both come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and an EPA mileage estimate of 20 city/28 highway. Ours had the 5-speed automatic, and in testament to how good the computer progamming behind modern automatics has become, the automatic gets better mileage than the stick...bumping up to 22 city/29 highway. The automatic was the only option...putting the base price at ,000 even, plus 5 delivery, processing and handling. So ,795. For that  you get 4-wheel disc brakes, electronic power assisted rack and pinion steering, front and rear stabilizer bars, 17 inch alloy wheels, and the most fun you've had while driving in a long, long time. Simply put (and we've said this before), Mazdas love to run. They're happy machines. The smiley face front ends are no coincidence. They handle like they're on rails. They live up to the corporate motto "Always The Soul of a Sports Car". 2012 Mazda 3 interior Look at the instrument panel in the picture above. Everything simple, direct and right where your hand expects it to be. Not to mention tastefully designed and of very good materials and craftsmanship...way beyond what ,000 normally buys. The Mazda 3 spent many months on the TireKicker Top 10 Cars (So Far) list early on. With the 2012 Mazda 3, it's back. If you're looking for a small car that you'll love to drive, you've just found it. UPDATE: If the five-door is so good, how's the 2012 Mazda 3 four-door? The 2012 Mazda 3 4-Door Sport. Surprisingly good. Now, you may wonder why there'd be a surprise when all that's different is the number of doors...but that's the thing...the Mazda 3 5-door and 4-door have three big differences beyond the roofline. One, the Mazda 3 i Sport 4-door (also borrowed from Chapman Mazda in Phoenix)  packs a bit less power...148 horses instead of the 167 in the 5-door (you can get the hotter engine by stepping up to the S model four-door). Two...that difference in power makes a significant difference in mileage: The EPA says the 4-door should get 24 city/33 highway as opposed to the 22/29 in the five-door (both those figures are for the automatic versions...the stick in the four-door bumps it up to 25/33). And three...price. The Mazda 3 i Sport 4-door starts at ,555 with the automatic transmission, ,445 less than the 5-door tested above. Want one for even less? Go with the stick and the base price for the 4-door drops to ,845.  And, if you live in a place where you can live without air conditioning and an outside temperature display, there's the Mazda 3 i SV 4-door at a mere ,200. Apart from those three things, everything we said about the 5-door goes for the 4-door. It's a truly terrific small sedan. Once again, we got one without options and the final cost (including delivery) was ,350...making it the second lowest-priced (as tested) car we've driven this year. The lowest? The 3's baby brother...the Mazda 2. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/auto-news-2012-mazda-3-review.html You also get three transmission choices: A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), a CVT with AutoStick, or a five-speed manual. Personally, I'd go with the stick, but the Jeep press fleet chose the CVT with an off-road crawl rate. And, honestly, it was a very good, very smooth CVT. I had to be reminded that was how the Patriot was equipped, which means it felt natural...like the best (Nissan, Subaru) CVTs. ============= Article Content: The 2011 Jeep Patriot It was easy to dismiss the Jeep Patriot when it first hit the streets (and trails) a couple of years back. Part of it was guilt by association, having been introduced to the public at the same time as the first-ever non-Trail Rated Jeep, the almost identically-sized Jeep Compass. But while the Compass was (and is, despite some upgrades) a Jeeped-up Dodge, the Patriot was (and is) a real Jeep. In many ways, it's the spiritual successor to the 1984 Jeep Cherokee. 1984 Jeep Cherokee Yes, if you dial the wayback machine 28 model years in reverse, you'll find people wondering what was up with this very small Jeep, which replaced the huge (in retrospect) Cherokee (itself a cut-down version of the 1963 Wagoneer). The Patriot's like that. First impression is it's too small to be a Jeep, having been exposed to Grand Cherokees, Commanders and even Libertys.  But drive it a few minutes and you'll find it's the back-to-basics vehicle that Jeep's been needing. Our tester was the Patriot Latitude 4X4, but the window sticker shows that it was optioned up to Latitude level from a base Sport model. We'll break that down for you. Jeep Patriot Sport 4X4. Starting at ,695, it's only ,700 more than the Sport 2-wheel drive model. Stepping up to the 4X4 gives you the 2.4 liter DOHC 16-valve engine and 165 horsepower instead of the stock 2.0 liter, 141 horsepower four. You also get three transmission choices: A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), a CVT with AutoStick, or a five-speed manual. Personally, I'd go with the stick, but the Jeep press fleet chose the CVT with an off-road crawl rate. And, honestly, it was a very good, very smooth CVT. I had to be reminded that was how the Patriot was equipped, which means it felt natural...like the best (Nissan, Subaru) CVTs. 2011 Jeep Patriot Interior The standard equipment list also includes a full complement of airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, hill start assist, brake assist, speed control, Security Key Theft Deterrent System, a removable/rechargable LED flashlight, rear window defroster, wiper and washer, tire pressure monitoring, an AM;/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with audio jack, and a center floor console. All in all, that's a cut above the basics in a very competent little Jeep for only ,695. I'd buy one like that. Except. It hadn't occurred to me in a long, long time...especially living in Arizona, but there are cars for sale in this country (not many) where air conditioning is an extra-cost option. And the Jeep Patriot is one. So our Patriot came with Customer Preferred Package 28B, which gives you air conditioning as well as an upgrade to 17-inch aluminum wheels, power heated manual fold away mirrors, body color door handles and liftgate applique', height adjustable drivers' seat, power windows, speed-sensitive power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated entry, steering wheel mounted audio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear 60/40 reclining and folding seat backs, a fold-flat front passenger seatback, heated front seats and a 115 volt power outlet. That package is ,700. Making the price (so far) ,395. Which is actually a few bucks cheaper than starting with the Latitude 4X4. But the option list goes on...another ,400 worth, give or take. The Security and Convenience Group gets you supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags, a security alarm, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, electronic vehicle information center, universal garage door opener, adjustable roof rail crossbars and a soft tonneau cover for 0. All nice stuff to have. Then there's the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group: All-Terrain tires, brake lock differential, hill descent control, a full-size spare, skid plates for the transmission, oil pan and fuel tank, tow hooks, an engine oil cooler, trailer towing wiring harness, all-season front and rear floor mats and a "Trail Rated" badge for 0. Those are essentials. I'd absolutely check that option box. The CVT with off-road crawl ratio? That's an extra ,000. Again, I'd go with the manual if it was my money. Ours also came with the Media Center 430, which adds a 30 gig hard drive that can hold 6,700 of your favorite songs (depending on length...depending on Ramones or Rachmaninoff, your storage capacity may vary), and a 6.5 inch touch screen display. That's 0.  As with nav systems, odds are your phone can do this. And finally, 5 for the Uconnect Voice Command with Bluetooth. It adds a USB port for mobile devices, and Sirius Satellite Radio with a 1-year subscription. I'm a huge believer in hands-free mobile when driving...I'd probably say yes for the Bluetooth alone. With 0 destination charge, the bottom line winds up at ,410. And that's a long way from the ,695 we started at. But it's not unreasonable. It is far less expensive than the average SUV, which doesn't have the Patriot's capabilities (as equipped), and it's actually less expensive than the average family sedan today.   And we'd knock a grand off that sticker by shifting it ourselves. 2011 Jeep Patriot Base price: ,695 As tested:   ,410 EPA estimate: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway Likes: Compact size, low base price, real Jeep capability, fuel economy, dramatically improved interior. Dislikes: Air conditioning and Bluetooth should be standard. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/auto-reviews-2011-jeep-patriot-review.html It all starts at ,700 with an impressive list of standard features. Too long for me to re-type. Wanna know what they are? Infiniti's M Hybrid webpage has that covered. Our tester added the Delue Touring Package (Japanese White Ash wood trim with genuine silver powder accents, semi-aniline leather appointed seating, a Bose 5.1 channel 16-speaker Premium Audio system, Forest Air filtration, a suede-like headliner, soft double-stitched meter hood and power rear sunshade) for ,800. ============= Article Content: The 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid rear view. In a break with (sometime) TireKicker tradition, we're showing you the rear view of the Infiniti M Hybrid first, because it is how you will most likely see one. You see, just yesterday (9/21/11), no less than an adjucator from the Guiness Book of World's Records and the UK's CAR Magazine certified the M Hybrid as the world's fastest full hybrid. Now, its 0-60 time of 5.0 seconds is plenty impressive, but CAR decided real speed is best measured in quarter-miles, and there, the M Hybrid did it in an average of 13.9 seconds...tying the 1/4 mile performance of a 1982 Lamborghini Countach, coming within a tenth of a second of the 1998 BMW M3 and within three-tenths of a second of the 2007 Aston Martin Volante and the 2007 Porsche 911 Carerra. That's gonna sell some cars. 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid. The World's Fastest Full Hybrid. I'd been driving one for six days when the news broke, and I was already a fan. I could tell, just from the seat of my pants, that this was a phenomenally quick, smooth luxury sedan that just happened to be hybrid-powered. Not exactly a surprise, really, since it was only five months ago that we got all excited over the gasoline-powered M37. The surprise was this felt just as good and we knew we were saving gas, at a price only about ,000 more than the gas version. Yeah, we know...seven grand is seven grand, but Infiniti could have charged more (there are hybrids out there running much closer to a K premium over the gasoline-powered equivalent). The EPA says 27 city/32 highway for the M Hybrid...and we didn't quite get there. In our 500 miles of 70 percent city street/30 percent urban freeway driving, we only averaged 24.9. But then, there's something about that magnificent power package (30 horsepower more than the gas version) that tells you to go ahead and plant your foot in it. I wish I could claim will power, but I can't. Still, that tops the 18/26 EPA estimate for the gasoline M37. And the fact that the M Hybrid allows you (under the right conditions) to run up to 62 miles per hour on electric power doesn't enforce light-footedness the way hybrids that dip into the fuel tank above 25 miles an hour do. 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid interior. It all starts at ,700 with an impressive list of standard features. Too long for me to re-type. Wanna know what they are? Infiniti's M Hybrid webpage has that covered. Our tester added the Delue Touring Package (Japanese White Ash wood trim with genuine silver powder accents, semi-aniline leather appointed seating, a Bose 5.1 channel 16-speaker Premium Audio system, Forest Air filtration, a suede-like headliner, soft double-stitched meter hood and power rear sunshade) for ,800. Next was the Premium Package (hard drive navigation system, 8-inch color touchscreen display, voice recognition, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather, Zagat Survey restaurant review, climate controlled front seats and a heated steering wheel) for ,350. The little stuff? 0 for 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, 0 for illuminated kick plates and 0 for a trunk mat, trunk net and first aid kit. Toss in destination charges of 5 and the bottom line is ,955. And it feels like so much more.  Even if it weren't the fastest, we'd love it. 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Base price: ,700 As tested: ,955 Likes: Styling, power, quality of materials, power, workmanship, power and...did we mention power? Oh, yeah...and better mileage, too. Dislikes: A little hesitation off the line as the car wakes up and brings the engine back to life. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/global-automotive-2012-infiniti-m-hybrid-review.html If you're thinking the base price is getting up there, you're right. ,650 is where ours started. The good news is that besides the retractable, you're getting a lot of nice equipment for your money. Automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats (heated with 5 settings), a leather-wrapped parking brake and a Bose audio system with AudioPilot 2. ============= Article Content: The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT. A sure-fire smile inducer at TireKicker is to toss us the keys to a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Tight, quick, fun...everything the MGs, Triumphs and Healys of the 60s were aiming for, but could never quite get that quality thing down. It's been about a year and a half since Mazda put one in the press fleet, and it's a scientific fact that your body never outgrows its need for a week in a primal roots sporting machine, so we borrowed one from Chapman Mazda in Phoenix. And the one we got was the least primal of the bunch...the Grand Touring PRHT. What's that? Well, it's an MX-5 Miata loaded with just about everything you can get...including a retractable hardtop.  Modern retractables (the first ones from Ford in the late 50s were engineering and electrical nightmares) are simple, slick and for the most part, the best of both worlds...the sun and wind in your hair when you want it, protection from the elements, prying eyes and sticky fingers when you don't (all a thief needs to get into your ragtop when it's parked is a good knife). The only real downsides are weight and cost. Mazda's kept the weight penalty under a hundred pounds, which is a good thing. The base price of the Grand Touring PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) is .570 more than your base MX-5 Miata...go for the 6-speed automatic instead of the 6-speed manual and it's ,570. The 2011 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT. Zoom-Zoom and a smile. Choosing the automatic also costs you 9 horsepower...down to 158 from 167 with the stick. That's how ours was equipped. If you're thinking the base price is getting up there, you're right. ,650 is where ours started. The good news is that besides the retractable, you're getting a lot of nice equipment for your money. Automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats (heated with 5 settings), a leather-wrapped parking brake and a Bose audio system with AudioPilot 2. The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata gauge cluster. Fold in the one and only option on our car, the Premium Package (anti-theft alarm, advanced keyless entry system, Bluetooth, Xenon headlights, dynamic stability and traction control and Sirius Satellite Radio) for ,650 and 5 delivery, processing and handling fee, and the sticker reads: ,095. Yeah, you can get a base MX5 Miata for about ,000 or anywhere between ,000 and ,000. But there's nothing wrong with this approach either...it's the Uber-Miata. 2011 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT Base price: ,650 As tested: .095 Likes: Styling, character, handling, drivability, overall fun factor. Dislikes: The retractable hardtop isn't insulated...on a 105-degree day, the A/C is barely able to counteract the heat seeping into the cockpit. EPA Estimate: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/global-auto-2011-mazda-mx-5-miata-review.html music too...but here you can), Sirius satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, a remote USB port, an audio jack, a 276-watt amplifier and six premium speakers. There's also a remote start system, security alarm, dual-zone automatic climate control, humdity sensor, universal garage door opener, Nappa leather seats (heated in the front and rear...and 8-way power controlled with 4-way lumbar adjustment for the driver and front passenger), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, a heated and cooled front console cupholder, a compass, front overhead LED lighting, front and rear LED map pockets, driver and passenger lower LED lamps and an upgrade to 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. ============= Article Content:  The 2011 Dodge Charger. I'll admit it. I was among those who thought naming a four-door sedan "Charger" was an act of sacrilege and doomed to failure. After all, the real Dodge Charger was a two-door. Well, as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, "foolish consistency sucks" (or something like that). Fact is, Dodge has built a very good sedan and calling it "Coronet" (the four-door the original Charger was based on) would have been a far worse idea. And, Dodge has dialed up the menace factor for the 2011 Charger. Look at the picture above. That's a six-cylinder family sedan. Pretty cool. It helps enormously that under the new sheetmetal is a new six...the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with variable valve timing. Not only is it smooth and refined...it packs 292 horsepower. That's close to 100 horses more than the previous base engine...and only 58 fewer than the Hemi option used to bring. Suffice it to say, it gets up and runs. It's mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission and gets a very respectable 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway, according to the EPA. The 2011 Dodge Charger rear view. Our tester was a Charger Rallye Plus. It started as just a base Charger SE (,170), which comes with a full complement of airbags, reactive head restraints, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, hill start assist, rain brake support and ready alert braking. Next comes the "27J Charger Rallye Plus" package. ,000 that buys you an 8.4-inch touch-screen display, Uconnect Touch, voice command with Bluetooth, Bluetooth streaming audio (just because you have it for hands-free phone doesn't mean you can play music too...but here you can), Sirius satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, a remote USB port, an audio jack, a 276-watt amplifier and six premium speakers. There's also a remote start system, security alarm, dual-zone automatic climate control, humdity sensor, universal garage door opener, Nappa leather seats (heated in the front and rear...and 8-way power controlled with 4-way lumbar adjustment for the driver and front passenger), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, a heated and cooled front console cupholder, a compass, front overhead LED lighting, front and rear LED map pockets, driver and passenger lower LED lamps and an upgrade to 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Stopping right there would give you a remarkably well equipped car for ,170...even the destination charge of 5 wouldn't send you past K. The 2011 Dodge Charger interior. But Dodge wanted us to sample all the goodies, so the press fleet crew packed this one with: And that, folks, is that. Total price: ,585. Yeah, there are some things I could quibble about (like how a 506-watt amplifier and speakers wound up in an "appearance" group), but the fact is, this car was a complete joy to drive. It looked great, it drove well, the new interior is just wonderful, it had every imaginable convenience. Yes, you could make do with less for a daily 20-mile commute. But this car whispered things like "Hey, let's go to Denver for lunch."  And Denver's 821 miles from TireKicker World HQ.  Plus, it can blow the doors off any other domestic family sedan that isn't packing a Hemi. "Charger" was the right pick, after all. 2011 Dodge Charger Rallye Plus Base price: ,170 As tested: ,585 Likes: Styling, power, handling, attitude and a great new interior. Dislikes: Some silly option packaging on the part of Dodge's marketing guys. EPA estimate: 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/global-auto-2011-dodge-charger-review.html Still, that's in the ballpark for the EPA city estimate, and not a lot of cars get there. In fact, most don't. And overall, the ECO is our favorite Cruze. It looks good, is well equipped, has a nice interior and one of the best manual shifters we've found in a domestic car (not Honda-level, but close). Ours had one option, the Driver Convenience Package, which gives the driver a six-way power-adjustable seat and rear parking assist for 5. So with a 0 destination charge, the bottom line was ,490. That's a sweet spot for a car in this class and with this level of equipment. ============= Article Content: The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze ECO. Comes now our third test of a Chevrolet Cruze in the past five months. Each one has been a different flavor. We started out with the loaded Chevrolet Cruze LTZ. Loved it, but for ,000 and change as tested, we'd better have. Then just about two months ago, it was almost the opposite end of the spectrum...the Chevrolet Cruze 1LT (one level up from the base Cruze).  Also a thumbs-up, and at a more reasonable ,995. Now it's the Chevrolet Cruze ECO. What makes an ECO an ECO? Well, mostly it's the 1.4 liter ECOTEC engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission with ECO overdrive. But to tell it apart from the other Cruzes in traffic, you'll probably have to look at the trunklid. The lone giveaway...the discreet "eco" badge on the trunklid of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze ECO. If the ECO otherwise looks like a well-equipped Cruze, that's because it is. The base price of ,245 brings with it the expected practicalities (stability control, ABS, multiple airbags) and some uplevel niceties that the ECO name doesn't imply (security system, keyless entry, OnStar, tire pressure monitor, deluxe cloth seat trim, USB, Bluetooth, XM, a tilting, telescoping, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17 inch alloy wheels and an Aero Performance Package...lower front grille air shutter, mid-body aero panels and front fascia air dam). Now, that Aero package, while making the Cruze ECO look sporty, is actually there in service of the ECO's primary mission...fuel economy. Through aids like that, the substitution of a tire sealant and inflator kit for a spare tire, a smaller gas tank (12.6 gallons instead of the 15.6 gallons in other Cruze models), economy-minded gearing and the marvels of computers working to squeeze every mile out of every drop of fuel, the ECO takes the same 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder and gets an EPA estimated 28 city/42 highway miles per gallon. It's 24/36 in the 1LT and LTZ. The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze ECO interior. Of course, as the EPA says "your mileage may vary", and as my Dad used to say "it's all about the nut holding the wheel". Our friend and colleague Nina Russin at Carspondent got 44.8 miles per gallon driving it like she stole it. A week later, it was in my hands and in 300 miles (about 20% urban freeway and the rest city streets), I only managed 29.2. Still, that's in the ballpark for the EPA city estimate, and not a lot of cars get there. In fact, most don't. And overall, the ECO is our favorite Cruze. It looks good, is well equipped, has a nice interior and one of the best manual shifters we've found in a domestic car (not Honda-level, but close).  Ours had one option, the Driver Convenience Package, which gives the driver a six-way power-adjustable seat and rear parking assist for 5. So with a 0 destination charge, the bottom line was ,490.  That's a sweet spot for a car in this class and with this level of equipment. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze ECO Base price: ,245 As tested: ,490 Likes: Styling, comfort, economy, slick manual shifter. Dislikes: USB not fully compatible with iPhone. EPA estimate: 28 mpg city/42 mpg highway. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/auto-news-2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review.html The Freight Transport Association or FTA has just backed a report which may help fleets with regards to congestion. The report is titled “Out of the jam: reducing congestion on our roads.” According to the FTA the report is recommending that traffic data be shared with fleet operators. This data can be used by fleets to help lessen their impact on the roads. For example they may be able to use different roads and spend less time driving if they are not stuck in the congestion. The road network management policy stated there is a drag on the economy due to congestion. Better communication can help reduce some of the issue at hand. There are definitely gaps of knowledge when it comes to planning strategy and making it easier for cars including fleets to get along on the roads. This news is sending many fleet companies to obtain new fuel card quotes [1]. These quotes can be used to find better savings for fleets. Given that fleets need to save fuel while driving due to congestion and other issues, the fuel cards are one way for this to be obtained. The country sees billions of pounds spent on fuel each year due to traffic problems. Additionally some of these pounds have to do with transport issues like road damage, accidents, and clean up. The overall point is that fleets have to have information that can help them get along on the roads in order to reduce their costs. They also need to reduce the pollution they cause by excessive idling due to congestion. If one problem can be solved with regards to congestion chances are other areas will start to improve too. For fleets that have yet to seek a solution to their own issues like high fuel costs then fuel card quotes can be a measure of help. It is not a perfect solution, but it is certainly one option. Fuel cards offer several benefits such as lowering costs at the pump, rewards, and even VAT reports. The reports make it simpler for fleet companies to get a little cash back on their VAT spending. Accounting records can also be easier to handle given the way invoices are sent out. For now fleet companies have to wait with regards to data reports, but at least the FTA is trying to gain access to the information. [1] http://www.fuelcards.me.uk/ http://www.global-auto.org/fta-backs-report-based-on-fleets.html If you are thinking of buying a car in the near future then it is well worth your while making sure that you conduct your search on the internet. Although for some people, it might be daunting to buy a car over the internet, you have to remember that you actually have more recourse if you buy online, and you will have far more choice on the internet. If you buy a car from out of your local paper, it might make you feel better to be bale to go back to them if you find a problem with the car after a few weeks, but it doesn't actually give you any rights. The internet is better for so many reasons. Firstly you don't have to spend hours finding all of the different vehicles by driving around. All you have to do is look on your screen and you can choose which areas you want to look in. You will also find that the cars that are available on the internet tend to be cheaper, simply because the buyer has more choice. With this choice there is no way anyone with an expensive car is going to be able to make a sale, so in effect they are forced to put a fair price on the car. If you want to use one of the best sites on line for car buying, then go to www.motors.co.uk [1] [1] http://www.motors.co.uk/ http://www.global-auto.org/finding-the-best-online-car-site.html I considered that Sentra the worst car I'd ever driven (for a time...the 80s had a way of sending worse-still machines my way as fleet vehicles and rental cars), and a scant two years later found the 1984 Honda Civic so superior in every way that I spent ,000 more than that first Sentra cost because I figured that's what it took. ============= Article Content: I remember my first time at the wheel of a Sentra. It was 1982, and I was swayed by advertising telling me "You NEED this car". Hard-selling the 1982 Nissan Sentra. Not being an automotive journalist yet, but having contacts at the local dealership, I was allowed to take one for an afternoon-long test drive. It was cheap, tinny and slow. So slow, in fact, that I got a ticket. You see, in order to make the thing move, all you could do was find the lowest gear, floor the sucker and take it all the way to the redline before you shifted to the next gear, then repeat. Well, the car made so much more noise than speed that a motorcycle policeman on a side street came after me, pulled me over and wrote me a ticket...not for speeding...I wasn't...it couldn't (at least not without another quarter mile or so of straining)....no, the ticket was for exhibition of speed. Disturbing the peace would have been a better call. I considered that Sentra the worst car I'd ever driven (for a time...the 80s had a way of sending worse-still machines my way as fleet vehicles and rental cars), and a scant two years later found the 1984 Honda Civic so superior in every way that I spent ,000 more than that first Sentra cost because I figured that's what it took. The 2011 Nissan Sentra. You'd be amazed how many people hold a grudge like that. "I'd never buy a (blank). My parents had one in 1982 and it was a piece of junk!"  Times, technologies and techniques all change in the car business...and a lot more frequently than every 29 years, which is why it's no surprise to me (nor should it be to you) that the current Nissan Sentra is not only nothing like the 1982, it's a very, very good car. Like its big brother Altima, the Sentra tends to fly under the radar. The car you see everyday but don't really pay much attention to. And then, if you're fortunate, you drive one. The Sentra's virtues are roominess, decent performance, good fuel economy and a wide range of trim levels.  The base 2.0 model starts at ,060 and comes with a 140 horsepower 2.0 liter 4, a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with auxilary jack, power windows and door locks, six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System. One step up to the 2.0 S (,990) buys you a continuously variable automatic transmission (Nissan builds the best CVTs in the business)16-inch wheels, power outside mirrors, remote keyless entry, an iPod interface, illuminated steering wheel cruise and audio control buttons, a trip computer and outside temperature display. Next level is the 2.0 SR (also ,990)...the 16-inch wheels are aluminum alloy, and the rest is cosmetics...sport front and rear fascias, side still extensions, smoked headlight surround and taillights and a chrome exhaust-tip finisher. Rear view of the 2011 Nissan Sentra. The tall trunk promises good cargo space. And delivers. And then, there's our tester, the 2.0 SL. Top of the line, apart from the SE-R and SE-R Spec V, which are performance levels and should be reviewed on their own (can we borrow each for a week, Nissan?). The 2.0 SL is ,390, takes the 2.0 S equipment and adds the aluminum alloy sixteens from the SR, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition system, Bluetooth, a premium audio system with a 4.3 inch color display, a USB port and SiriusXM Satellite radio. Nice package for under K. 2011 Nissan Sentra Interior. Not fancy, but not bargain-basement, either. Options? Our tester had only three: The most reasonably-priced in-dash nav system I've seen so far (0),  splash guards (0) and floor mats (0). With 0 destination charge, the bottom line: ,810. One of the best bargains out there. And the EPA estimate: 27 city/34 highway. Maybe Nissan's ad agency was 29 years ahead of its time...could be you need this car now. --------------------- http://www.global-auto.org/global-auto-2011-nissan-sentra-review.html